The emergence of authenticity: Phases of tourist experience

Using the philosophy of critical realism, this article conceptualizes authenticity as a process of emergence to address the question: What makes authenticity possible? This envisions distinct authenticity phases, which are episodic, non-linear, and porous, accompanied by external triggers and internal processes that manifest before, during, and after travel, as perceived in relation to or activated by tourist experiences. Thus, pre-, proto-, in-situ, and post-authenticity phases are outlined and supported by current literature. In doing so, this article situates our current thinking about authenticity, which often foregrounds in-situ experience, within a broader understanding of its relationality to our social worlds beyond destinations. Finally, this approach offers new research avenues that emphasise the on-going emergent nature of authenticity over time. • Employs critical realism to elucidate the emergent process of authenticity • Identifies pre-, proto-, in-situ and post-authenticity phases of tourist experience • Proposes a conceptual framework of the phases of authenticity as emergent • Suggests research opportunities aligned with critical realism and emergence